Actors Plan Teaching Role At Rockledge High

September 4, 1985|By Ruth Rasche of The Sentinel Staff

ROCKLEDGE — Students at Rockledge High School may become the first in the state to get hands-on experience in all aspects of theater from a resident company of professional actors, writers, directors and technicians who are setting up shop at the school.

The Ensemble Theatre of Florida Inc. signed a contract last week with the Brevard County School Board to use the high school auditorium at 220 Raider Road for the ensemble's productions, said Stuart Smith, the group's artistic director. In exchange for the space, ensemble members will share their theatrical expertise with students through lectures, workshops and internships, he said.

Ann Harris, Rockledge assistant principal, said the school is excited about having a professional theater group in residence.

''We're going to be able to offer our students and faculty opportunities they ordinarily would not be exposed to,'' she said. ''We all feel really good about it.''

Harris and Smith said they believe this is the first time a professional theater group will be permanently based at a Florida high school.

The ensemble chose Rockledge High School as its base because the school's 580-seat auditorium recently was renovated and because of the city's central location, Smith said. Eventually the group plans to offer theatrical instruction at schools across Brevard.

The ensemble's 21 members will begin working with students in Rockledge in about two weeks, Smith said.

Tartuff, a 17th century French farce by Moliere, will open at the school Oct. 3. Smith, a professional actor and director who was born in France, translated the play from the original French into English unrhymed verse.

''Moliere is the Neil Simon of the 17th century,'' he said. ''This will be a very funny, fast-paced show.''

Although only professional actors from the company will perform in the five productions scheduled for this season, students will work closely with the shows, Smith said.

''A strong part of the ensemble is the educational benefits we're going to be able to provide,'' he said. ''We're hoping this will be a pilot program for schools all over the county, and eventually, the state.''

The group wants to expose adults and youngsters to good theater produced and performed by professionals, Smith said.

''It's frightening that the arts seem so unimportant in the schools now,'' he said. ''It's not enough to grab a bunch of kids and show them a play. They need to be trained to appreciate the theater. If students only hear Shakespeare done by an untrained English teacher, they will never know true Shakespeare.

''Teachers shouldn't have to be performers -- performers should become teachers,'' he said. ''That's what we intend to do.''